Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
VA Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 2, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000077430, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Tucson, AZ
Issue:
It was reported this morning that an employee at the NW CBOC spoke to someone on the phone who identified themselves as a family member of a Veteran. The employee reviewed a providers note and told the family member that the provider had seen the veteran previously. The family member contacted the provider to try and get more information. The provider notified the supervisor at the NW CBOC.By divulging this information to an unknown person, the employee verified the veteran is a patient with us, thus violating the patients privacy. (No attempt was made to verify this family member had a power-of-attorney so we could speak with them. Update: 07/02/12:The Veteran will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
The staff in this area has been retrained on the proper procedures for discussing patient information with others without proper authorization from the patient.